I don't have GM. I have dem2topo, FWTools, Postgresql, GPSMapedit, & cGPSmapper. I also use MapWindow GIS if I need to reproject shape files into different datums/coordinate systems.
I'm currently still in step 1 (processing the dem data), but have already downloaded the water and transportation. My most ambitious map project to date had been a transparent map of some trails, so this should be rather interesting. Glad to hear it can be done with the 2G of ram.
Thank you so much for all of your help and patience. I feel a bit like an idiot trying this, but the worst thing that will happen is I won't end up with a completed map. Best case I'll have my state completed and posted for all the world to
suffer enjoy.

Lalita